Vertically and angularly adjustable lamp



March 27, 1956 1.. PHILLIPS 2,740,039

VERTICALLY AND ANGULARLY ADJUSTABLE LAMP Filed Sept... 5, 1952 sSheets-Shee t 1 INVENTOR. LOUIS PHILLIPS March 27, 1956 1.. PHILLIPS2,740,039

VERTICALLY AND ANGULARLY ADJUSTABLE LAMP Filed Sept. 5, 1952 5Sheets-Sheet 2 Ml F1915.

INVENTOR. LOUIS PHILLIPS L. PHILLIPS March 27, 1956 VERTICALLY ANDANGULARLY ADJUSTABLE LAMP 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Sept. 5. 1952 IN VENTOR.

PHILLIPS United States Patent VERTICALLY AND ANGIHJARLY ADJUSTABLE L mLouis Bhillips,.Seneca; Falls, N. Y.

Application September 5,1952, Serial No. 308,010

6- Cl'aiins'. (Cl; 240 -8=l) This invention relates to adjustablesupporting mechanism for lamps of the electric portable desk type foruse in oflicesand the like.

The invention relates: particularly to a lamp supporting structurehaving a base, a standard or, upright post rotatabl y mounted on thebase and an elongated arm supported on the post, said arm beingswingable and longitudinally slidable relative to the post so as tobring the lamp intoor closely adjacent a region wherein a high degree ofiilumination is desired.

An object of the invention: is to provide means for adjusting thelamp-carrying slidable arm to any desired verti'cal horizontal orangular position relative to the post.

Another object is to-providemeans for yieldingly holding thelamp-carrying arm in adjusted position.

Another object is to provide means for concealing the conductingelements of the lamp.

Other objects and advantages of the invention are to provide adjustingmechanism of this kind that is compact, simple and durable and which canbe manufactured and sold at a reasonable cost.

For further comprehension of the invention, and of the objects andadvantages: thereof, reference will be hadto the following descriptionand accompanying drawings, and to the appended claims in which thevarious novel features of the invention are more particularly set forth.

In the accompanying drawingsforming a material part of this disclosure:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of an adjustable support for alampembodying one embodiment of my invention, with the lamp supportingarm in retracted position.

Fig. 2 is a side view of the same showing the supporting armin extendedposition and showing in dotted lines the supporting arm in angularsupporting position.

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary side view of the top: of the post showing therear end of the supporting arm when swung to horizontal position.

Fig. 4 is an enlarged sectionalview through the top end of thesupporting arm and 'one-of'the side walls of the post.

Fig. 5 is a reduced bottom plan view.

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary front view showing the lamp supporting arm invertically extended position.

Fig. 7 is a similar view showing the rear of the parts.

Fig. 8 is an enlarged side view showing the inner surface of the top ofone of the side walls of the post.

Fig. 9 is a fragmentary side view showing the top of the supporting arm,with parts being broken away.

Figs. 10 and 11 are perspective views of opposite sides of the bottomend of the post.

Fig. 12 is a cross sectional view taken on" the plane of the line 12-12of Fig. 1.

Fig. 13 is a perspective view of an adjustable lamp support embodying amodified form of my invention, with. the lamp supporting arm inretracted position.

Fig. 14 is a side elevational view thereof showing the lamp supportingarm in extended position and showing said arm in dotted lines in angularposition.

Fig. 15 is a fragmentary side view showing the top of Patented Mar. 27,1956.

the post and illustrating the rear of the supporting arm' when swung tohorizontal position.

Referring particularly to Figs. 1 to 12, the lamp hereinshown comprisesbroadly a square base It), a tubulanpost 11 preferably square incross-section and extending upwardly from the center of the base androtatably mounted thereon, and a slide or runner in the form ofanelongated arm 12' slidable inside and outside the post foradjustabl'ypositioning a lamp 13 carried by the arm at its outerend'.The base, post and runner may be made ofany suitable insulating materialsuch as plastic andare suitably grooved for the electrical conductorsand connections for illuminating the lamp.

The tubular post 11 is formed witha front wall 14; rear wall 15 andopposed side walls 16 and 17''. The'si'de walls extend above the top ofthe front and rear-walls. Atits lower end the post lll is formed with asolidreduced cylindrical portion 13 which is journalledin a circularopening or bearing 19 in the centerof the base and extends therethrough.A strap 20 is secured by screws 21 in counter-sunk recesses 22 in thelower surface of the base and spans the opening 19. A pivot pin-23extends through an opening in the strap and rotatably fastens thecylindrical portion of the postto the strap whereby the post is adaptedto freely turn 360 in either direction.

The runner or arm 12 is square in cross-section, similar to thecross-section of the opening in the post, and is substantially thelength of the post. The elongated arm is telescopically mounted in thepost and is adapted-to bemoved outside of the post and subsequently slidrelative to the post at different angles thereto. The mounti'ngof thearm includes a metal sleeve or tubular bearing 24 rotatably mounted onfixed pivot pins 25- extending through aligned openings 26 in the sidewalls. 16'. and: L7 of the post adjacent the top end thereof.

The arm extends through the bearing or sleeve 24 andiis slidablysupported thereby. The arm can be. manually withdrawn from the post andextended outwardly to form. a vertical extension of the post as shown inFig. 2;, 01': it. can he slid inwardly or telescoped into the: post. and

When the arm is thus moved outwardly so. that itsinner end is above andclear of the front and rear walls, itt can he slid longitudinallythrough the sleeve 24: so as. to bring the lamp nearer or further fromthe post.

Means are provided for yieldingly holding the: arm 12 in any of itslongitudinally adjusted positions. The h0ld.--

ing means includes a spring detent plate 27' fastened; at;

one end tothe bearing 24 with its free end 28 projecting; inwardlytoward the surface of the arm 12 and atlaptedtoengage in any one of anumber of spaced transverse. grooves 29 formed in the adjacent surfaceof the. arm.

The plate coacts with the grooves to yieldingly hold the; I

arm in any longitudinally adjusted position.

'I have also provided means for yieldingly holding the.

arm, 12 in adjusted swingable positions. means includes a plate 3%suitably fastened surface of the side wall 17 at its top end. spacedholes 31 formation.

On the bearing 24 is a housing or casing 32 closed at This. holding onthe inner A series of is formed in the plate in arcuate the end adjacentside wall 16 and open at the other end ad acent plate 30. A ball 33 ismounted in the open end of the housing and partially protrudestherethrough, which ball is urged outwardly by a spring 34 in thehousing havmg one end seated against the closed end of the housing andits other end impinging against the ball and urging it outwardly againstthe plate 36. When the housing is carried around by the bearing 24 inits pivotal movements, the path of movement of the ball is in line withthe holes so that it is adapted to engage in one of said said holes andyieldingly hold the arm 12 in angular adjusted positron.

The lamp 13 may be supplied with electrical current in any suitablemanner. As shown, conductor cords 35 and 36 are connected at one end toa plug 37 for connection to a house supply. The cords pass inwardlythrough a horizontally extending opening 38 in the base into a recess 39formed in the lower face of the base adjacent the central openingtherein. In the recess, conductor 35 is connected to one arm of anL-shaped terminal or contact 40 secured to one side of the wall of therecess, and conductor 36 is connected to a similarly shaped contact 41secured to the opposite side of the wall of the recess. A wiper or brush42 is connected to the other arm of contact 40, and a similar wiper orbrush 43 is connected to the other arm of contact 41.

Around the outer surface of the cylindrical end portion 18 of the postis a lower conducting ring 44 and spaced therefrom is an upperconducting ring 45. Brush 42 is in line with and in continuous contactwith the ring 44 and is adapted to wipe thereover upon the turning ofthe post. Brush 43 is similarly arranged with respect to ring 45 so asto continuously contact the same.

Each of the side walls 16 and 17 of the post is formed on its innersurface with a central groove 46 extending from the lower end of thewall to its top end. The upper end of each groove communicates throughan opening 47, extending laterally through the wall, with a recess 48formed in the outer surface of the side wall. A conductor or bus bar 49is mounted in groove 46 of side wall 16 for its entire length, whichconductor at its lower end is connected to the adjacent contact ring 44.A similar conductor or bus bar 50 is mounted in groove 46 of side Wall17 and is connected at its lower end to contact ring 45. The upper endof each conductor 49 and 50 extends through the lateral opening 47 inthe adjacent side wall and is connected to a spring conductor plate 51secured in the recess 48 on the outer surface of the side wall by ascrew 52. The conductors 51 engage the pins 25 and each may be coveredby an insulating strip 51. The pins 25 are covered by insulating sleeves25.

On the opposed surfaces of the arm 12 which are adjacent to the sideWalls of the post, each surface is formed with a central groove 53. Abus bar 54 is mounted in each of the grooves 53 and said bus barscontact the pins 25. At its outer end, each bus bar is connected toaplate 55 which is secured to the surface of the arm 12, in a slottedportion 56 provided in the top of the arm, in line with each groove 53.

A lamp socket adapter is pivotally mounted at the top end of the arm 12for supporting the lamp 13. This adapter includes a pair of spacedcontact blades 57 pivotally connected to a pivot pin 58 of insulatingmaterial which extends across the top of the arm and extends through theslots 56. The blades 57 are in sliding contact with the conductingplates 55 in the slotted portions 56 at the top of the arm and areconnected to the termi nals (not shown) of the lamp 13 for illuminatingthe same.

The end of the arm 12, opposite the lamp is provided with slots 59 forconnecting an electric socket or plug to the bus bars 54.

By reason of the construction and arrangement of the partsand conductorsare hereinbefore described, the lamp can be rotated 360 around its baseor can be extended or retracted or swung to any angular position therebyrendering it universally adjustable without disturbing the a 4electrical connections and it can be yieldingly held in any movedposition.

In the modification of the invention shown in Figs. 13 to 15, the outercircumference of the post 60 is circular. In this form, the conductorplates 51 (see Fig. 4) connected to the top ends of the conductors orbus bars 49 and 50 are enclosed in housings 61 secured to the sides ofthe post at its top. The conductor plates are in electrical connectionwith plunger pins 62 extending through the sides of the post by means ofsprings 63 which urge the pins inwardly through aligned holes in opposedelectrically separated channel members 124 which embrace the arm 12 andform a bearing therefor, said pins 62 pivotally supporting said bearingwith its arm 12. The inner ends of the pins extend into the grooves 53of the arm and contact the bus bars 54 therein.

Modified means are also shown for yieldingly holding the arm 12 inadjusted position. This holding means includes a number of eyelets 64screwed into the outer surface of the post in spaced vertical alignment.The eye lets are positioned in alignment with the center of the arm 12and slidably guided in the eyelets is a supporting rod 65. At its topend, the rod is formed with a cross head 66 and at its bottom with alaterally extending lug.

67. The lug projects inwardly and is adapted to be inserted into any oneof a series of vertically spaced holes 68 formed in the post inalignment with the eyelets. The lug 67 is removed from one hole 68 andis inserted inanother by springing the rod sufficiently to clear the lugfrom whatever hole it is engaged in. The rod isthen moved vertically asdesired and the lug engaged in another hole.

The rod 65 is adapted to be slid along the post through the eyelets tobring its crosshead into supporting engagement with any of the groovesin the adjacent surface of the arm 12, whereby the arm is supported onthe top of the crosshead. The lug 67 coacting with the holes 68 holdsthe rod in adjusted position. The end of the arm 12, opposite the lampis provided with slots 69 for connecting an electric socket or plug tothe bus bars 54.

The electrical circuit connections for the lamp 13 are the same as inthe form of Fig 1.]

While I have illustrated and described the preferred embodiments of myinvention, it is to be understood that I do not limit myself to theprecise constructions herein disclosed and the right is reserved to allchanges and modifications coming within the scope of theinvention asdefined in the appended claims.-

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire tosecure by United States Letters Patent 1. An adjustable lamp comprisinga base, a vertically disposed rotatable post on the base, a tubularbearing pivotally supported at the top of the post, an elongatedsupporting arm slidably carried by said bearing, a lamp carried by saidarm, said arm being provided with spaced transverse grooves along onesurface thereof, a spring detent mounted on said beating and adapted tocoact with one of said grooves for yieldingly holding the arm inadjusted sliding position, a plate mounted on the post adjacent its topend, said plate having a series of spaced holes disposed in arcuateformation, a spring-pressed ball mounted on the pivoted bearing andadapted to engage in one of said holes for yicldingly holding the arm inconnection to said lamp carried thereon, a pair of conductive pins eachextending through said post into said tubular bearing to engage one ofsaid conductors, said pins comprising the pivotal support for saidbearing, and

means connecting each of said pins to a respective ring.

2. An adjustable lamp comprising a base, an upright tubular postrotatably mounted on the base, said post having upwardly projectingspaced extensions, a pivoted sleeve bearing member in the space betweensaid extensions, an elongated arm slidably supported by said sleevebearing member, said arm being adapted to be moved outwardly of the postfor substantially its entire length to form an extension of the post andbeing adapted to be moved inwardly of the post for substantially itsentire length whereby said arm is substantially concealed, a lampcarried by said arm, and an electrical circuit for said lamp including apair of spaced conductive rings mounted on the lower end of said uprightpost, a pair of brush contacts mounted in said base to engage said ringsfor supplying electrical energy thereto, two conductors longitudinallymounted along opposing sides of said arm for connection to said lampcarried thereon, a pair of conductive pins each extending through oneextension on said post into said sleeve bearing member to engage one ofsaid conductors, said pins constituting the pivotal support for saidsleeve bearing member and means connecting each of said pins to arespective ring.

3. An adjustable lamp comprising a base, an upright tubular postrotatably mounted on the base, said post having upwardly projectingspaced extensions, a pivoted sleeve bearing member in the space andbetween said extensions, an elongated arm slidably supported by saidsleeve bearing member, said arm in one position of the sleeve bearingbeing adapted to be moved either outwardly in prolongation of the postor inwardly in nested relation with the post, said arm in anotherposition of the sleeve bearing member being adapted to be slidlongitudinally at an angle to the post, means for yieldingly holding thearm in moved position, a lamp carried by said arm, and an electricalcircuit for said lamp including a pair of spaced conductive ringsmounted on the lower end of said upright post, a pair of brush contactsmounted in said base to engage said rings for supplying electricalenergy thereto, two conductors longitudinally mounted along opposingsides of said arm for connection to said lamp carried thereon, a pair ofconductive pins each extending through one extension on said post intosaid sleeve bearing member to engage one of said conductors, said pinsconstituting the pivotal support for said sleeve hearing member, andmeans connecting each of said pins to a respective ring.

4. An adjustable lamp comprising a base, an upright tubular postrotatably mounted on the base, said post ha ing upwardly projectingspaced extensions, a pivoted sleeve bearing member in the space betweensaid extensions, an elongated arm slidably supported by said sleevebearing member, said arm in one position of the sleeve bearing memberbeing adapted to be moved either outwardly in prolongation of the postor inwardly in nested relation to the post, said arm in another positionof the sleeve bearing member being adapted to he slid longitudinally atan angle to the post, a spring detent carried by the sleeve bearingmember and cooperating with the arm for holding said arm yieldingly inadjusted sliding position, a spring-pressed detent carried by the sleevebearing member and cooperating with the post for yieldingly holding thearm in adjusted swung position, a lamp carried by said arm, and anelectrical circuit for said lamp including a pair of spaced conductiverings mounted on the lower end of said upright post, a pair of brushcontacts mounted in said base to engage said rings for supplyingelectrical energy thereto, two conductors longitudinally mounted alongopposing sides of said arm for connection to said lamp carried thereon,a pair of conductive pins each extending through one extension on saidpost into said sleeve bearing member to engage one of said conductors,said pins constituting the pivotal support for said sleeve bearingmember, and means connecting each of said pins to a respective ring.

5. An adjustable lamp comprising a base, an upright tubular postrotatably mounted on the base, said post having upwardly projectingspaced extensions, a pivoted sleeve bearing member in the space betweensaid extensions, an elongated arm slidably supported by said sleevebearing member, said arm in one position of the sleeve bearing beingadapted to be moved either outwardly in prolongation of the post orinwardly in nested relation to the post, said arm in another position ofthe sleeve bearing member being adapted to be slid longitudinally at anangle to the post, a rod supported by the post for sliding movementtherealong, a crosshead on one end of said rod for supporting the arm inadjusted inclined position, means for holding the rod in moved position,a lamp carried by said arm, and an electrical circuit for said lampincluding a pair of spaced conductive rings mounted on the lower end ofsaid upright post, a pair of brush contacts mounted in said base toengage said rings for supplying electrical energy thereto, twoconductors longitudinally mounted along opposing sides of said arm forconnection to said lamp carried thereon, a pair of conductive pins eachextending through one extension on said post into said sleeve bearingmember to engage one of said conductors, said pins constituting thepivotal support for said sleeve bearing member, and means connectingeach of said pins to a respective ring.

6. An adjustable lamp comprising a base, an upright tubular postrotatably mounted on the base, said post having upwardly projectingspaced extensions, a pivoted sleeve bearing member in the space betweensaid extensions, an elongated arm slidably supported by said sleevebearing member, said arm in one position of the sleeve bearing memberbeing adapted to be moved either outwardly or inwardly of the post, saidarm in another position of the sleeve bearing member being adapted to heslid longitudinally at an angle to the post, a lamp carried by said arm,said post having a series of vertically spaced holes in its outersurface, a rod supported by the post for sliding movement therealong, acrosshead on one end of said rod for supporting the arm in adjustedinclined position, a lug extending laterally of the rod at its other endadapted to coact with one of said holes for holding the rod in adjustedposition, and an electrical circuit for said lamp including a pair ofspaced conductive rings mounted on the lower end of said upright post, apair of brush contacts mounted in said base to engage said rings forsupplying electrical energy thereto, two conductors longitudinallymounted along opposing sides of said arm for connection to said lampcarried thereon, a pair of conductive pins each extending through oneextension on said post into said sleeve bearing member to engage one ofsaid conductors, said pins constituting the pivotal support for saidsleeve bearing member, and means connecting each of said pins to arespective ring.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS1,309,375 Taylor July 8, 1919 1,318,148 Herwig, Jr. Oct. 7, 19191,449,658 Deach Mar. 27, 1923 1,503,638 Cooper Aug. 5, 1924 1,889,978Dickey Dec. 6, 1932 FOREIGN PATENTS 127,645 Switzerland Sept. 1, 1928756,059 France Sept. 18, 1933

